The Character & Behaviour of a Leader

In the fifth session of "Biblical Principles for Leading with Love", the Swallow and her coursemates learnt more about the character and behaviour of a loving leader.  The moderator for this session was different from the one who lead in the first four sessions.  However, he also reiterated the same thought that one can be a leader in any situation eg whether as a man leading his family, as a woman leading her children, as a teacher leading his class or simply as an older person leading a younger person.

When the world looks at a Christian, they expect to see perfection, not understanding that the thing that separates the Christian from the world is not perfection but grace.  When one becomes a Christian, he is not perfect in himself but in the Lord Jesus Christ, and what He has done on the cross for men's sins.  However, because of the world's lack of understanding, character and behaviour are important for a Christian, moreso for a Christian leader who stands in public scrutiny.  When the world looks at the Christian, let them see the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let the Christian, leader or not, bring glory and not shame for his Lord God.

Without character and right behaviour, one loses his influence.

The coursemates dived into several Bible passages to discover some characteristics required of a leader.  The list is a long one but some of these characteristics are

• blameless
• husband of one wife
• not self-willed
• not quick-tempered
• sober-minded
• not greedy for money
• hospitable
• eager
• not as being lords over those entrusted to them but
• being examples to those they are shepherding.

The Christian must lead others based on the principles set out in 1 Corinthians 13, the familiar passage on Unconditional Love.

"Do not forget the culture of the inner man - I mean the heart.  How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care.  Remember you are God's sword, His instrument - I trust a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name.  In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success.  It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus.  A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. " --- Robert Murray McCheyne